Why you should support this work

"I don't think that the majority of students had thought seriously about the implications of military involvement. Hearing veterans talk first-hand about their experiences made them sit up and take notice." Teacher, Patrick Henry High School, San Diego

Each year, the military spends billions of dollars saturating our schools and communities with propaganda that popularizes soldiering and war. The campaign to sell militarism to young people and their parents employes slick ads, glossy literature and recruiting tactics that often rely on deception and high pressure salesmanship.

An organization like Project YANO is needed to provide a counter-balance to this marketing of militarism. We give young people information they should have in order to see through the deceptive advertising and discover other ways to pursue their goals for job training, higher education and service to others. In addition to our direct outreach to local young people, we play a key leadership role nationally by supporting the development of similar organizations around the U.S. Among other things, we co-sponsor regional and national conferences for counter-recruitment organizers and helped establish the National Network Opposing the Militarization of Youth.

Here are some of our local, national, and international activities:

Production of educational literature--in English and Spanish--on military enlistment, JROTC, alternatives for job training and college financing, and careers in peacemaking and social change.

Presentations on the realities of military enlistment and war given by military veterans and other volunteers in hundreds of San Diego area classrooms.

Placement of literature and posters in local school career centers; displays at school career and college fairs.

Campaigns to educate the public and school officials about military aptitude testing in schools and militaristic programs like JROTC.

Collaborative work with other groups nationally to form information-sharing networks.

To see us in action, check out the photos on the YANO at Work photo gallery page.

You can help us continue these efforts with a financial CONTRIBUTION. If you live in the San Diego County area, you can also help by donating your time (let us know by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or fill out our online VOLUNTEER FORM.

CAREERS IN PEACEMAKING AND SOCIAL CHANGE

Choosing a Career that Pays in Many Ways." Brochure for high school-age youths:discusses how to make a career choice that is compatible with both income needs and ethical values.Print Size: 8½ x 11 (double sided) Download in English - 77 Kb (v. 1/04)

About Project YANO

Project YANO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization that provides young people with an alternative point of view about military enlistment. Many of our members are armed forces veterans who believe that high school students are getting a distorted picture of the military and war from recruiting ads and marketing. In particular, we are concerned that many low-income students and students of color are being diverted away from higher education and into the military, where they are found in disproportionate numbers.

Please Donate

Please make a tax deductable donation to the Project on Youth and Non-Military Opportunities with our safe and private Click & Pledge System.

Thank You For Your Support

Thank you for supporting our work! With your help, we will continue to reach thousands of youths directly each year and many more indirectly through the other organizations that use our educational resources. Together, we will build a more peaceful, just society. - Project YANO